Frank Lautenberg will not seek reelection

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has decided not to seek re-election to his New Jersey seat, POLITICO has confirmed — paving the way for a clearer path for Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker to assume the spot.

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Lautenberg broke the news Thursday in a statement to the Star-Ledger of Newark. An aide confirmed it to POLITICO.

“I am not announcing the end of anything. I am announcing the beginning of a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals and create more opportunities for working families in New Jersey,” Lautenberg told the Star-Ledger. “While I may not be seeking re-election, there is plenty of work to do before the end of this term and I’m going to keep fighting as hard asever for the people of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate.”

Lautenberg’s decision was not a surprise — most Democrats had anticipated the 89-year-old World War II veteran would choose to retire. He had struggled with an illness in recent months, and was not seen publicly for a few weeks.

But he had bristled publicly at Booker’s designs on the seat, anger that was flamed by Democrats in New Jersey who have never liked the Newark mayor’s high profile and who had hoped he would challenge popular Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

In a statement, Booker called Lautenberg “a champion for the people of New Jersey” and “a strong model of leadership and service to me since before I even considered entering elected office.”

All public polls in recent weeks had shown Booker leading Lautenberg. However, it’s not clear that Booker — who has had some public stumbles in the last two months — will have a glide path. Rep. Frank Pallone, who has a close relationship with Lautenberg and a $3 million warchest on hand — and has long been waiting for a chance at this seat — has made clear he’s mulling a Senate run of his own.

Other Democrats who may run are Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and State Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) declined to comment on whether he has a favorite in the Democratic primary, or if he himself is interested.

“Frank is a good friend, always has been,” Pascrell said. “I’m very saddened to hear that he’s retiring because he certainly had all his faculties and now the onslaught will come as to who’s going to run and try to replace him.”

Lautenberg retired from the Senate in 2000, but stepped back in when Sen. Robert Torricelli was engulfed in ethical problems.

Pallone, who insisted it was “the Senator’s day” and he didn’t want to discuss his own decision-making process, added, “I’ve always been interested in the Senate and I’m going to continue to explore it.”

Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this post misspelled Sen. Robert Torricelli’s name.